This is an important parameter as far as dynamic seals are concerned, but difficult to assess other than on purely empirical lines. Experience shows that certain materials such as natural rubber, polyurethane and leathers, have outstanding resistance to abrasion, while others, such as silicone rubbers, may have poor characteristics in this respect. In general, as far as elastomers are concerned, abrasion resistance generally improves with increasing hardness for particular basic elastomer and may be further enhanced by compounding. Good abrasion resistance is also often allied to high tear resistance, and vice versa.
